Diabetes decisions — 2024

The Board has found that the Veteran's diabetes, hypertension, PTSD and OSA are related to service. The appeal is granted for all four conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and eye disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in June 2024.

The Veteran's service-connected right below the knee amputation, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on this need.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes as secondary to herbicide agent exposure is granted, based on his current diagnosis and established exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding service connection for cataract (right eye) and an inadequate rationale provided by the VA opinions on whether the right eye cataract is caused or aggravated by diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's renal disorder is granted secondary service connection as it is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes. The rating for diabetes with erectile dysfunction remains at 20 percent, and the effective date for TDIU based solely on PTSD with MDD is set at April 4, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus was granted, with effective dates of March 23, 2016. The Veteran requested review of the October 4, 2019 rating decision, which was properly submitted on a valid form.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted a rating of 20 percent effective May 2, 2018. Prior to this date, the condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all granted based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, arteriosclerotic heart disease, coronary heart disease, and ischemic cardiomyopathy status post myocardial infarction is granted with a 60% rating prior to May 14, 2020.,From May 14, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, arteriosclerotic heart disease, coronary heart disease, and ischemic cardiomyopathy status post myocardial infarction is denied.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and there is no evidence to warrant an increase in this rating.,Service connection for a colon condition was denied due to lack of current symptoms or diagnosis.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been granted service connection but remains noncompensable.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity also has been granted service connection but remains noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure during service. A VA examination is required to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart condition, peripheral neuropathy, thyroid condition, bladder condition, and diabetic condition due to potential service connection based on in-service Agent Orange exposure. The VA will obtain private treatment records and schedule a new VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to procedural errors in docketing under the AMA system.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability (hypertension), and prostate disability are remanded due to the need for further examination regarding potential exposure to toxins during service.

The Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for COPD, increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II, and increased rating for scar to neck have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and low back arthritis are all granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology during or shortly after service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus II, right lower extremity neuropathy, left upper and right upper extremity radiculopathy on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).